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Researchers found that compared with sibling hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), relapse risks were similar after umbilical cord blood (UCB), and unrelated donors (URD). UCB HCT was associated with statistically higher non-relapse mortality compared with sibling HCT, but not vs URD. UCB is a suitable option for adults with FLT3+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the absence of an HLA-matched sibling. [Leukemia]
Abstract

Researchers determined the activities of autophagy and apoptosis as well as their regulatory mechanisms during T. gondii infection by using human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as a model of congenital diseases. [Cell Cycle]
Abstract

Scientists aimed to standardize the isolation of amniotic stem cells and the selection of the optimal time of transplantation and cell application methods in burn patients according to the guidelines of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). [Stem Cells Dev]
Abstract

The authors observed that transforming growth factor (TGF-β) inhibits expression of activating receptors such as NKG2D and DNAM1 and decreases killing activity against glioblastoma tumor cells through inhibition of perforin secretion. To overcome the detrimental effects of TGF-β, they engrafted a dominant negative TGF-β receptor II on cord blood-derived natural killer cells by retroviral transduction and evaluated their ability to kill glioblastoma cells in the presence of TGF-β. [Cytotherapy]
Abstract

The authors review recent technical advances in single-cell analysis technology, as well as their current applications. They also discuss the impact of single-cell technologies on both basic research and clinical application in hematology. [J Hematol Oncol]
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Invetech announced a collaboration agreement with Erytech Pharma. Under the agreement, Invetech will develop systems to enable the commercial-scale manufacture of products based on Erytech’s proprietary ERYCAPS technology platform, which uses a novel technology to encapsulate therapeutic drug substances inside red blood cells and is designed to more effectively deliver therapeutics with reduced side effects. [Invetech]
Press Release

Carolinas HealthCare System announced today a $2 million commitment from the Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation in support of academic and research efforts at Levine Cancer Institute. The funds will be designated to establish an endowed chair in their name: The Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders. [Carolinas HealthCare System (PR Newswire Association LLC.)]
Press Release

The world’s premier centre for health metrics — the science of measuring and analysing global health problems, and how they relate to healthcare and biomedical research funding — will receive a US$279-million cash injection from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The cash will go towards expanding the institute’s work over the next decade and consolidating its primacy in the field. It is considered by far the biggest and most influential research centre for health metrics, and its work informs the funding and policy decisions of many national governments and local, regional and global organizations, including the World Bank and the US National Institutes of Health. [Nature News]
Editorial

This is the third week of U.S. Senate hearings on President Donald Trump’s nominees to his Cabinet. The nominees that senators have heard from include representative Tom Price, the nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency of the National Institutes of Health. His opening statement included a nod to biomedical research at the department of Health and Human Services. Price says he will support science-based policies, rejects vaccine-autism and abortion–breast cancer links. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced who will be up for election to the post of director-general in May. They are: former Ethiopian health minister and minister of foreign affairs Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; British physician and United Nations official David Nabarro; and Pakistani cardiologist and former science minister Sania Nishtar. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial